Seventeen year-old Brazilian dancer Marina Fernandes da Costa Duarte, who attends the Princess Grace Dance Academy was one of the 8 winners of the prestigious Prix de Lausanne 2017, recognized also with the Audience Favorite award.

Fernandes from Costa Duarte has to juggle studying with an intense schedule of daily rehearsal sessions. But her commitment has paid off in making it through to the Prix de Lausanne. She emphasizes that the competition is a life-changing experience that will not only help her to become a better dancer, but also a better person. The truth is that the contest is a real quantum leap for an international career.

The 45th edition of the Prix de Lausanne run from January 29 through February 5, 2017. Since its foundation in 1973, it has developed into the most important international dance competition in the world, for young dancers aged 15 to 18, who are not yet professionals, rewarding potential rather than present accomplishment. The judges sit in on classes and practice during the week, to help them select the finalists. Winners receive scholarships to join renowned partner ballet schools or gain an apprenticeship to major companies.

Since the beginning of the week, 68 candidates from 17 countries all over the world attended daily classes, coaching and rehearsals with prestigious professionals in the field. The candidates performed their classical and contemporary variations on stage for a live audience at the Beaulieu Theatre while carefully observed by jury members, who evaluated their technical facility and also their ability and sensitive response to the music, having had to master the traditional classical repertoire and the contemporary creations of John Neumeier, the main guest.

Marina Fernandes with Luca Masala in Lausanne

This year Kevin O’Hare, Director of the Royal Ballet, was the President of the nine jury member panel, who selected the 20 most promising talents from 9 different countries. Eight of the finalists received one of the scholarships /apprenticeships. The prize winners receive the unique opportunity to choose among the most prominent schools and companies that they would like to attend.

In 2014 and 2015, three students of the Princess Grace Dance Academy participated and were primed: David Navarro Yudes, Mikio Kato and Rina Khanehara, proof of the training excellency of the Academy, under the responsibility of the Monte-Carlo Ballet, that compensates the work of its talented artistic director Luca Masala and his pedagogic team. And in 2017 it is Marina Fernandes Da Costa Duarte who received the important prize.

Within the Monte-Carlo Ballet, Jean-Christophe Maillot, Choreographer and Director of the MCB, Bernice Coppieters, Star dancer, Asier Uriagereka, Jeroen Verbruggen, former soloists, Michael Grunecker and Le Wang, dancers with the company, have obtained the coveted prize!